Isle of Wight 32-5 Aldershot & Fleet
Isle of Wight RFC registered their first win of the season in emphatic fashion against visitors Aldershot & Fleet (AF). This result had been coming after numerous one-score defeats in recent weeks and was justly celebrated by the victors.
Conditions were very challenging for both teams in a match played in persistent rain and a strong wind. The cold and wet meant that it was never a day for expansive rugby and if ever a match was going to be decided by the forward pack, this would be one. The IW forwards delivered a consummate performance and ensured that the win was secured.
Playing with the wind in the first half, IW spent almost the entire period in AF territory, accurate kicking from Dan Ward and George Huish pinning the mainlanders back. Once in position, the IW forwards took over, completely dominating the scrum and taking several put-ins against the head. While handling errors at first blunted IW efforts to open the scoring, an attacking scrum gave Huish the platform to dart over on the blind-side after 11 minutes. A second try soon followed, again founded on an IW scrum marching forward, before Ward wrong-footed the defence and scooted through to touch down, in one of his last acts before having to depart due to injury.
AF defended courageously but had great difficulty clearing their lines, the hard-working IW pack pressuring every kick and blocking several down. Good ball retention by the home team led to Kevin Blackburn being stopped short before the ball was swept wide for Huish to cross. The full-back was soon celebrating his hat-trick, sound handling in the conditions finding him in space to race over and confirm IW’s bonus point inside the half-hour mark. Huish’s conversion made it 22-0, but AF finally lifted the siege and strung good phases together to drive up to the IW line. The ball appeared to have been dropped forward but the try was awarded and IW led 22-5 at half-time.
With the wind now in their faces, IW could not yet be certain of victory. It was a day for heavy-duty ball carriers to stand up and be counted, and IW played the conditions well in the second half. Replacements Joe Bussell and Prince Mutsinze made a considerable impact off the bench, but the moment that put the game beyond the mainlanders was supplied by captain Luke Blackman, who fended off several despairing tackles to canter over from halfway for a marvellous try.
Much of the second half, as expected, was played in the IW half, and AF battled away, held up over the line on one occasion. In general, IW defence was solid and committed throughout, centres Harri Jones-Evans and debutant Ben Sanderson showing no inclination to let anyone through. It was the impressive Sanderson who put the icing on IW’s performance with a try in the corner to mark his first game for the club.
IW will take heart from the spirit and desire shown on a day when those qualities trumped skill and pace, and look forward to a trip to Ellingham & Ringwood on Saturday. The Andy White-sponsored man of the match award went to hooker Sam McQueen, who typified his side’s work ethic and determination throughout.
The club would like to thank its sponsors Biffa IW, Red Funnel, SD Tanner Electrical, Island Healthcare, Arid Design, Stay Ready Strength, Ravenprint, Joedan Windows and Doors, and Boojum & Snark.
IW: Huish, Young, Jones-Evans, Sanderson, Vickers, Ward, D Blackman, Newnham, McQueen, Hart, Blackburn, Savill, Lynch, Bennett, L Blackman ©. Replacements: Wynyard-Wright, Bussell, Mutsinze.
Thanks to Katharine Overton for the photographs!
